Harlequins Gareth Holden in a lineout at Strathconan Park in Fairlie during the Hammersley Cup semifinal.

Harlequins player Matt Young scores a try which contributes to the team winning 28-23 against the Mackenzie Rams in Fairlie.

The rain did not distract from a great rugby game in Fairlie.

Boys watching the rugby match between Mackenzie and Harlequins at Fairlie from the top of a bus.

Mackenzie player Angus Lang does his best.

Pete Dobson, centre, with Jackson Thomas-Cooper, 2, and Paddy Boyd have a cookup on top of a car while watching the Hamersley semifinal.

Mackenzie player Sammi Puafisi goes down during the semifinal Hamersley Cup rugby game between Mackenzie Rams and Harlequins held at Strathconan Park in Fairlie.

Mackenzie player Sammi Puafisi with the ball during the semifinal rugby game between Mackenzie Rams and Harlequins held at Fairlie.

Watching the game at Strathconan Park in Fairlie with their beagle dog Lochie are from left, Amelia Murray, Emily Gualter and Sallie Mackay.

Mackenzie player Walker Jacobs pushes through the opposition to score the last try of the game.

Harlequins fullback Paula Fifita was sinbinned in their semifinal win over the Mackenzie Rams in the Hamersley Cup senior rugby competition. The spot where Fifita had to serve out his 10 minutes on halfway was already taken by a couple of the host’s mascots at Strathconan Park, Fairlie. There was plenty of colour and support for the Rams, who were piped on to the field, but the duck callers went quiet soon after when Harlequins raced into the lead, which they never relinquished.

TRY TIME: Mackenzie first five-eighth Walker Jacobs manages to get through Harlequins No 8 Josateki Veikune for the final try of the game at Strathconan Park in Fairlie.

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Harlequins will be heading to the Hamersley Cup grand final after proving too tough for Mackenzie in Fairlie.

Two late tries at Strathconan Park gave the Rams the 28-23 scoreline some respectability, but in essence Harlequins were too good, up 28-9 mid-way through the second half.

To their credit Mackenzie hung tough, but by then Harlequins had emptied their bench and their fullback Paula Fifita was in the bin for a team infringement too many.

For Mackenzie, it killed off their dream of lifting the silverware they last won in 2003.

The result means Harlequins will face defending champions Celtic for the sixth time in seven years, but unlike in some previous seasons both sides certainly had to fight for their spots.

Mackenzie had finished top qualifier after the round robin but injuries hurt them at key moments, while Harlequins will be hoping to be the first team to win the Hamersley Cup from third spot, having already survived two sudden death semi-finals.

That won't be easy as Celtic try for an unprecedented sixth crown in a row since grand finals were introduced.

At Fairlie both sides were piped on to the field but the music stopped quickly after Harlequins scored in just two minutes.

A clever skip-pass from first five Scott Norton gave centre Hau Kaumatule some space and he ran strongly and finished with a good off-load for Fifita to score.

With 15 minutes gone a rampant Harlequins side were in again after Fifita made another strong run and slipped the ball away in the tackle for Matt Young to score.

In between Norton had landed a penalty and the hosts were down 13-0 and struggling to get their hands on the ball.

Mackenzie then started to make some good tackles, stopping Harlequins momentum and battled away, with George Williams landing one of two penalties attempts to make half-time 13-3.

The Rams captain Stu Cartwright also went down in what looked like a serious injury but managed to recover and return to the field.

The second half started like the first with a penalty to Norton and then with four minutes gone Fifita was on hand to score again after a great break Kaumatule to make it 21-3.

Then with quarter of hour gone, Fifita was again in the action with a good run.ntsD and nte Norton found speedster Maile I'Ongi, who scored.

Norton added the extras and the game was gone at 28-6.

Williams added a penalty and Mackenzie blew a couple of opportunities when ball runners decided to head back into the traffic when they had overlaps outside.

In a frantic final five minutes Mackenzie first five Walker Jacobs scored a couple of good tries with strong runs close to the line.

In the end Harlequins key men stood up when it mattered most.

While the hard running Sam Vea was a late withdrawal as his first baby was on the way, he was hardly missed.

Number 8 Josateki Veikune had a huge game while in the backs Kaumatule and Fifita were just too good.

Veteran loose forward Craig Miller had a good game as did Tui Tauelangi and captain Nathan Tubb.

Englishman Harry Lewis was also a tower in the lineout, also grabbing several Mackenzie throws.Halfback Jordan Hooke Hooke and Norton were good conduits for the men outside them, while stand in second five Joel Tuiaki made some good runs early.

Mackenzie's pack were good in the scrums and at the breakdowns but their lineout was wobbly.

They did not however have the ball runners to match Harlequins.

For the Rams front rower Aaron McCall was strong while open side Jarrad Blackler was in everything.

Lock Andrew Scarlett showed some good skills especially on the kick-offs and Cartwright never gave up.

Second five Fa'aitu Tuamoheloa tried to get his backline firing while fullback Williams showed some nice touches, both kicking and ball in hand.